Page 32 of Valley

Outside, I ran into Sean, who was waiting by the back door as usual to walk the dancers out. He smiled warmly, a huge difference to Jarrod’s insulting demeanor. “All set to leave?” he asked.

“Yeah, really ready,” I replied, my voice tinged with sadness. We pushed the door open and stepped outside. I half-expected to see Jarrod lurking in the shadows, but the alley was empty.

“So, Madeline,” Sean said, using my real name I had given him last night. “I know something happened between you and Valley, and I’m not going to pry.”

We stopped as I dug for my keys. “I’d really appreciate that. It’s not something I want to talk about.”

“I was wondering if you’d like to come with me to a barbecue. The club is having one to welcome home Patch and Katherine’sbaby?” he asked, watching me closely. “Only as friends, no strings, no commitments.”

“I don’t know... what if?” I trailed off, unable to voice my fear.

“What if Valley is there?” he guessed. At my nod, he continued. “So what? You can’t let him control you, Madeline. That seems to be what he wants, and I don’t want to see you give that to him. And of course, I like you,” he added with a chuckle, touching my hair playfully.

He was right.

Jarrod had threatened Sean, and by turning him down, I’d be giving Jarrod exactly what he wanted. What if Sean was my chance at happiness and I just threw it away? “Okay,” I said with a smile and handed him my phone so we could exchange numbers. “Let me know the details. I have a class that morning but will be free by noon.”

“That’s perfect,” he said, glancing toward the club’s back door where a shadow stood watching. He shook his head. “I better get back inside.” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek that caught me by surprise. “See you tomorrow, Madeline.”

I touched my cheek where his lips had been before getting into my van. Sean seemed so sweet, but then again, so did Jarrod at first. I wasn’t diving headfirst into a relationship, but it would be a nice distraction that could lead to more. If only I wasn’t still in love with Jarrod. It was a sad truth, but a truth, nonetheless.

Turning up the music, I forced my mind away from men and focused on lining up job interviews. I needed to get away from Twisted Heat.

I sang with the music as I navigated my way through the dimly lit streets. The scenery blurred as my thoughts spiraled. How had things gotten so complicated? Just a few weeks ago, Jarrod was the man I always dreamed about. Now, he was a stranger, twisting my emotions and being so damn mean.

I parked in front of my apartment, the quiet of the night pressing down on me. Walking toward the door, I tried to push away the memory of Jarrod’s sneer, the cutting words he had thrown at me like daggers. I fumbled with my keys, finally managing to unlock the door and slip inside.

The familiar surroundings of my apartment provided little comfort, and I was glad for once dad was in his room. I stopped at Ellie’s door and peeked inside, smiling softly, and headed straight to my bedroom. I dropped my bag and went into the bathroom, turning on the shower, letting the steam fill the room as I stripped off my clothes. The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of the night, but not the turmoil inside.

After drying off, I pulled on my coziest pajamas and crawled into bed. My phone buzzed with a message from Sean: “Looking forward to Sunday. Sweet dreams, Madeline.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. Sean’s kindness was a ray of hope in the dark maze my life had become since Jarrod stepped into my life again. I typed a quick response, thanking him, before setting the phone aside.

My thoughts drifted to the barbecue. It could be a fresh start, a chance to break free from the toxic cycle I was trapped in with Jarrod. Yet, the fear of facing Jarrod again loomed large, his words not easily forgotten. His presence was like a shadow, always lurking, his threats a real worry.

Would he hurt Sean if I continued to talk to him?

I pulled a blanket over myself as exhaustion began to pull me under; I whispered a silent promise to myself: I would not let Jarrod control my life; he had no right to even try.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Chapter Twenty

“JARROD?” HER VOICE, soft and haunting, whispered throughthe darkness, ripping me from sleep. “Jarrod, look at me,” she pleaded, her shadowy figure barely visible in the corner. My heart thundered in my chest, and sweat slicked my skin, making me feel fevered as I sat up, the covers slipping to the floor.

“Kezia, you have to stop,” I said, my voice trembling as I inched to the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry. How many times do I have to say it?”

“You’re not sorry!” Her voice exploded with anger. “But you will be.”

“What do you mean?”

“You love Madeline. You try to hide it from me, but I see it.” The shadow seemed to shimmer, radiating a fierce light with her rage. “You’ve always wanted her; did you think I was blind to how you stared at her?”

“Kezia...”

“I’m going to hurt her,” she hissed, her shadow fading like smoke.

“No!” I lunged forward, crashing into the wall, her presence vanishing before I could reach her. I slid down, my back pressed against the cool wall. “Don’t hurt her, Kezia,” I begged the empty room. “Hurt me instead.”

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